Pressure-operated valve apparatus



R. WELCK ER Filed Dec. 29, 1924 PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE APPARATUS July 19, 1927.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

\ \\N Ni Patented July 19, 1927. 7

UNITED STATES 1,636,402 PATENT-OFFICE.-

RUDOLPH WELCKER, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR ONE-FOURTH TO FRANKLIN G. NEAL, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

PRESSURE-OPERATED Application filed December 29, 1924. Serial No. 758,674.

This invention is an improvement in the means for operating valves as embodied in a. pressure operated valve apparatus. One' specific and important embodiment of the invention is in the improved means for storing and releasing a liquid by a valve controlled apparatus of improved construction. This embodiment of the invention particularly designed for storing and releasing a liquid as in a flush tank, is illustrated by the drawings and following description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a storage tankdesigned as a flush tank embodying the invention in one preferred form; r

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of the tank showing the main valve of Fig.1 in open position.

One preferred form of the invention chosen for purposes 'of illustration relates to a flush tank. The tank 1 may be of any suitable shape as round or rectangular, but due to the features of the invention which will appear it ma be of smaller volume than flush tanks of the prior art usuallv are for the same work. The tank 1 shown may be considered round in horizontal cross section for simplicity in construction. I

A bottom casting 2 and a top casting 3 form air tight closures for tank 1. A fluid inlet 4: and a drain outlet 5 each provided with a convenient hand valve 4 and 5 respectively are connected to the bottom casting 2. A large vertically disposed flushing outlet pipe 6 is mounted in the center of. the bottom casting 2 and has its top end open and spaced a short distance below the casting 3. Depending from the casting 3 and concentric with plpe 6, but large enough to establish an annular space 7, 1s a pipe section 8 which has its bottom end open and spaced a short distance above the casting 2. The top end of pipe 8 is closed by the casting 3 at the center portion of which is a valve controlled air outlet port or ports 10 normally closed by valve 11 as will be described. On the top of outlet pipe 6 is a circular cap valve 12 designed to close" and open the top end of this pipe and to moveably slide from closed or open position while in good sliding contact as a piston within the pipe section 8.

The valve 12 is shown in closed position in Fig. 1 and in-open position in Fig. 2. It is circular to fit pipe section 8 with extensions above and below the crown designed for closing pipe .6. The top of the latter is provided in any suitable manner with a good valve seat designed to take a reversely arranged seat in the valve as indicated.

An air port 13 is provided through the valve casting 12 to connect the space above valve 12 with the annular space 7 between pipe sections 6 and 8. A second air port 14 in provided through the valve casting to connect the'annular space 7 with the space above the liquid in tank 1, outside of pipe 8. As shown, this port 14 when the valve is closed, registerswith a port 15 in pipe 8. In the annular space 7, I preferably provide a rather loose float ring 16 with a suitable packing at the top so that the ports 13 and 14; are closed when the liquid fills the space 7, and so that this liquid will have no substantial access through port 13. The port 1 1 is also closed when the valve 12 is open for the ports 14 and 15 are not then in registering position. A circumferential, hori- .zontal groove in the valve casting at the top level of port 14 permits port 15 to register with portli even though the latter turns in its up and down movements.

The air-valve 11 may be of any suitable construction operable to admit and .shut off the passage of air through air ports 10 from and to the space A within pipe 8 above main valve 12; As shown the air valve 11 is a simple form of disk valve held upwardly against its seat with an air tight closure by means of a spring surrounding the valve stem and bearing against casting 3 and a shoulder of the valve stem. Any air pressure in space A will assist in holding air valve 11 closed. The closing spring for the valve is preferably made so that it will permit airvalve 11 to open, if and when there is a tendency toward a vacuum in space A as the apparatus works. The air ports 10 and the opening surrounding the valve stem provide access of atmos pheric pressure to the top of valve 11 over a considerable area so that with the spring strong enough to normally close the valve when the air pressure in space A is equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure, valve 11 will open when the air pressure in space A is reduced slightly below atmospheric pressure and this action will be permitted if the valve spring is not too strong. Other types of air valves and arrangements are available to accomplish my purpose at this point which is to normally retain air pressure in space A, releasing it only when desired, as by pressing the alr valve stem age inst the spring, and to automatically "ad- -water under pressure from pipe l as from thecity water system, the tank rapidly fills until the confined air is put under suificient pressure at the top of the tank to balance the water pressure in the feed pipe, which will occur becausethe tank is normally air tight and in-this respect operates" like an air bell to prevent the water from filling it completely. -The "feeding operation then stops although the feed inlet'is still-opena-nd normally remains open at all times. In this condition; the air which originally filled the tank at atmospheric pressure has now been forcedunder pressure to the top of the tank. Due to ports 13, 1s and 15 the air has free circulationab'ove the liquid and therefore is put 'under the same pressure above the val ve12iin space A as it isabove the water in the'tank and outside of pipe 8 in space E. The floatring 1G riseswith the water to close ports 13 and 14. The water has then risen substantially to its high level, but the outlet valve 12 is preferably still above this leveh The float ring is-used" as a precautionary means to preventthe waterfrom Spurting up above the valve and into space A. *In this described condition of the apparatus, the air pressure on the outlet side of the valve 12 is at atmospheric pressure while the pressure above the'valve 12 is substantially "above atmosphe-ric pressure." This fact gives a substantial pressure acting to hold the valve closed: The valve seat is above the water level because it ispreferably located to be in the air space of the tank all times, so that during the storage period the valve is dry and not subjected to possible chemicalaction of impure water.

The water may be thus stored in 'the tank until neededand under the best conditions with respect to safeguarding the flush valve. hen it is desired' to empty the tank the control or air'valve 11 is opened by pressing downwardly on thevalve stem. The air pressure above'the valve 12 within pipe sec-- tion 8, or space -'A is now released down to atmospheric pressure while the pressure above'the watenoutsideof pipe section 8 or in space B-isstillmaintained. Thispres surecauses an imniediatelifting of the valve '12 'as the pressure in the annular space 7 can-act to relieve itself upwardlyaga-inst the alone would 'then'elnpty the tank but it one desirable feature of the invention that such action is started with a rush under the substantial air pressure exerted to release itself from the confined space E above the main body 'of-water. This pressure continues to act and forces thewater out of the tank with much greater pressure at the be ginning when the flushing action is most needed and with a gradually lessening pressure until the siphon action is broken when the water level in the tank falls to the open edge of pipe 8.

Duringthe time the water being stored and while the siphon action is emptying' the tank; the water inlet is open so the volume ot-ivater emptied is increased by the amount permitted to enter from the inlet as the air 1 pressure is being relieved. But as soon as the siphon is broken, as it automatically is when the water level reaches the bottom of pipe 8, the incoming water starts again to hit the tank to again compress the air and tighten the valve 12 which falls on its seat upon the breaking of the siphon. The water supply, therefore, automatically reestablishes the equilbrium of pr ssure between the water and air in the tank and the air pres sure holds the outlet valve 12 closed while the water inlet 4; remains open.

' Since the opening of the air valve 11 releases some of the air in the tank, each time the siphon is es-itahlished, a new supply needs to be furnished to space A. This may be accomplished in many ways as by an autonniti'cally controlled air inlet separate from valve-11 to 'admit air to tank 1 whenever its air pressure falls below atmosphere. As shown and described for purposes of simplifiC1tlOl1,tl'1'lS tunction is performed thronnh valve '11. As the last of the siphoned water is leaving outlet pipe 6 there is a suction created as by a piston in pipe (3 to lower the air pressure in space A. The float ring: 16 drops down with the water in annular space 7 with a like action. Valve 12 sucked to a tightly ciosed position, but the suction has been created and continues so that the pres sure in'space A is lowered and valve 11 automatically opens as described previously to establish substantially atmospheric pressure in said space. As the water level rises in tank 1 due to the still open inlet 1, the air pressure is increased'in space 13 and inspace A since there is a connection through ports 15, 14-, 13 when the valve 12 is closed and the water is also rising in annular space 7. The'ainpressures in spaces A and B are fit) equalized, valve 11 is closed by the increasing air pressure as well as by its spring. The tank 1 reiills automatically and stands ready to be again flushed in the same manner as described.

Thedrain pipe 5 is of course normally closed in the operation of the apparatus. The valves 4' and 5 immediately adjacent the flush tank are accessories of considerably convenience even though the former is open for the most part and the latter is closed. If

the tank is to be left unused over any considerable period of time, valve 4. may be closed and valve 5 opened to leave the apparatus drained and in dry condition. If the air valve 11 should happen to be held open while the tank filled with water, the desired air supply in the tank would be de- But whatever happens in this or like unusual situations, the whole apparatus can be readily put back in the right condition. The valve 4 may be closed. while all water is drained from the tank through pipe 5 which empties into pipe 6. Then valve 11 may be opened to make sure that atmospherlc air pressure obtains 1n the empty tank (although valve 11 should open automatically for this purpose). By now starting the use of theapparatus, as in the case of its original installation, opening valve t and closing valve 5, everything is sure to be put in proper working condition.

As previously mentioned, it is desirable to have the opening of pipe 6 above the normal water level of the water stored in the tank. This can be readily determined byand in relation to the pressure of the liquid from inlet pipe l. The higher this pressure is the higher pipe'6 must be made to be above the level where the air pressure stops the furthcr teed oi liquid through the open inlet.

l have not attempted to show all theavailable sa iteguards in making the valve 12 seat on the top of pipe 6 so as to prevent any insidious lez-iking at this point. Such valve devices are known and constitute a simple engineer-ing problem. I might mention, however, that it may be desirable to have a cone shaped va'lve surface of yielding material as water proof leather or rubber to rest on the valve seat of pipe 6 so that any specks of foreign matter may sink into the valve which may be of. the self centering type. And such precautions thus indicated in a genera-t l way to insure that mytank is made air tight and water tight are all within the obvious engineering knowledge which may be applied to the practice of my invention.

I have described the invention in its simple form to best bring out its principles and one preferred embodiment without the confusion of engineering details.

I believe I am the first to invent a pressure operated valve apparatus havin all or some of the advantages of that descri ed. I

of the tank, said second pipe being arranged concentrically with the outlet pipeand in spaced apart relation to form an annular passage from the bottom. part of the tank up to the top' opening in the outlet pipe, a pis ton valve mounted in the second pipe and adapted to open and close said opening in the outlet pipe, and means to create a pressure in the top of said tank within and without said Second pipe and means to release the pressure within said pipe above said piston valve to thereby open the valve and establish a siphonic action from the tank through said outlet pipe.

2. A pressure operated valve apparatus comprising a tank, a siphon outlet means for the tank, a valve for said means normally above theliquid level in the tankand operable solely by fluid pressure, and devices ope able from without the tank to create one pressure condition within the tank to hold said valve closed or a different pressure condition within the tank to open said valve and put the siphon outlet means in operation.

A flush tank having a normally open inlet passage and a normally closed outlet passage having its entrance located above the bottom olthe tank, means to control the outlet passage comprising a valve apparatus at the entrance of the outlet passage operable by air pressure created by the fluid entering through said inlet and means operable from without said air tank to apply said pressure to operatesaid valve apparatus when desired.

4. A flush tank comprising an air tight fluid storage container having a" normally open inlet passage for fluidunder pressure andby which air pressure is established in the tank, a. normally closed outlet passage with its entrancc'located above the bottom of the tank and of larger capacity than the ins let passage and operable to empty the tank,

'and means controlled from without the tank open inlet passage for fluid under pressure, a

normally closed outlet passage forming one leg of a siphono't larger capacity than the inlet passage to empty the tank. a siphon structure with one leg forming said outlet passage, having a closure at the top of ill such leg, and with a second leg having an inlot near the bottom of the tank and means controlled from without the tank for opening said outletpassage to establish siphonic action through said structure and to empty the tank, said means being arranged to autonialically close the outlet passage when the tank is sub tantially empty.

6. A flush tank comprising an air tight fluid storage container having a normally open inlet passage for liquid under pressure and arranged to compress the air in the tank above the liquid, and an outlet passage of larger capacity than the inlet passage. a. valve arranged to normally close said outlet 1 assag'e at a point above the liquid level and mean controlled from without the tank to release the air pressure above the valve and cause the press-.ure above the liquid acting alone to open the valve and force the liquid to the outlet until the tank is emptied and then. close the valve.

7. is flush tank con'iprising an air tight container for liquid, a normally closed air valve for the container, a normally open liquid inlet to the container, a. siphon apparatus to empty the container, allconstructed ano arranged to establish air pressure within the container capable of starting the siphon apparatus and to con rol said pressure for such purpose through said air valve.

8. The combination of an air tight. tank for liquid arranged to be normally in open connuunication vith a source of liquid under pressure, a siphon apparatus having an outlet valve above the normal liquid level of the tank and arranged to empty said tank, and means operable from without the tank to start the operation o't said apparatus solely by the fluid pressure therein.

9. The conibii'iation of an air tight tank "for liquid arranged to be normally in open communication with a. source of liquid under pressure, a siphon apparatus having an outlet valve above the normal liquid level of thetank and arranged to empty said tank, and'means operable from without the tank to start the operation oil said apparatus solely by the fluid pressure therein, said appziratus beinn' constructed and arranged to automatically stop the siphjonic action while liquid is still entering said tank.

10. A. pressure operated flush tank compristinean air tight liquid container arlLIH QfGCl to have normally open communication with a source of liquid under pressure whereby air pressure is created above the liquid in the tank to shut oil" a continuous liquid feed. means to empty said tank including; a valve located above the normal liquid level in the tank and operable solely by pressure changes in the tank and means operable from without the tank to effect such pressure changes.

11. The combination of a tank with an inlet at the bottom, an outlet pipe with an opening; near the top, a hood extending in spaced relation over the outlet pipe and with its open end near the bottom of the tank, a valve at the top of the outlet pipe and an air valve operable to control the air pressure in the top of said hood.

12. The combination of a tank with a. liquid inlet near the bottom, an outlet pipe extending through the bottom to a point near the top of the tank. a cylinder closed at the top of the tank and extending in spaced relation over the outlet pipe to a point near the bottom. a piston valve slidable in said cylinder and adapted to close the top of said outlet pipe, an air valve between the top of the hood and the atmosphere, an air port through said piston valve between the top of the cylinder and the annular space between the cylinder and the outlet pipe, and air port through. said piston valve between said annular space and registering with a port through the cylinder when the piston valve is in closed position.

13. The combination of an air tight tank, an inlet pipe for liquid, an outlet pipe and means to establish a siphon action through the outlet pipe by the pressure created by liquid entering; the inlet pipe, an air valve for the tank to control said pressure and establish the siphon action.

14. The combination of a closed tank having an inlet for fluid under pressure, a siphon apparatus Within said tank including a pressure operated valve between the two legs of the apparatus, an air valve to control the flow of air between the space on one side of the valve and the outsideof the tank, said air valvebeinc' operable to release pressure on one side of the siphon valve to start the siphon action and automatically operable to prevent any substantial vacuum on that side of the valve as the siphon apparatus works to empty the tank.

15. The coinl'iination of a closed tank arranged to be in normally open communication with a source of liquid underpressure, a siphon apparatus havin; an outlet valve above the normal liquid level within the tank and operable to empty it when desired solely by the action of the air pressure in the tank created by the liquid constantly tending to fill the tank, and means to replenish the air supply to said tank and control the air pressure in the tank to thus control said siphon.

16. The combination of a closed tank adapted to be in normal open communication with a source of liquid under pressure,

a siphon apparatus having an outlet valve above the normal liquid level within the tank and. operable to empty it when desired,

vand means to put said apparatus into action,

said means being arranged to control the air inlet pipe for liquid under pressure, an out-,

let pipe extending through the bottom of the tank and opening near the top of the tank, a cylinder of larger diameter depending from the top of the tank over the outlet pipe to a point near the bottom of the tank,

a piston iittcd to slide in said cylinder and serve as a valve for the outlet pipe, an air valve for the tank between the top of the cylinder and the atmosphere, air ports through the piston to connect the space thereabove, the annular space formed by the outlet pipe and cylinder, and the latter with the space above the liquid outside of the cylinder, an air port through the cylinder to make said last named connection only when the piston closes the outlet pipe, a float ring serving to close said air ports when the annular space is full of liquid and the outlet pipe closed.

18. The combination of a closed tank, an inlet pipe for liquid under pressure, an outlet pipe extending through the bottom of the tank and opening near the top of the tank, a cylinder of larger diameter depending from the top of the tank over the outlet pipe to a point near the bottom of the tank, a piston fitted to slide in said cylinder and serve as a valve for the outlet pipe, an air valve for the tank between the top of the cylindenand the atmosphere, air ports through the piston to connect the space thereabove, the annular space formed by the outlet pipe and cylinder, and the latter with the space above the liquid'outside of the cylinder, an air port through the cylinder to make said last named connection only when the piston closes the outlet pipe, a float ring serving to close said air ports when the annular space is full of liquid and the outlet pipe closed, and a normally closed drain pipe with a valve therein.

19. A flush tank comprising a cylinder closed at top and bottom by header members, an inlet pipe for connection to a water supply under pressure, a valve in said pipe, an outlet pipe extending through the bottom header member to a point near the top header member, a pipe or cylinder extending from the top header member in spaced .relation but concentric with the outlet pipe to a point near the lower header member, a piston mounted to slide in said cylinder and serve as'a lift or check valve for the outlet pipe, an air valve controlling a port between the space in said cylinder above the piston and the atmosphere.

20. A flush tank comprising a cylinder closed at top andbottom by header members, an inlet pipe for connection to a water supply under pressure, a valve in said pipe, an outlet pipe extending through the bottom header member to a point near the top head er member, a pipe or cylinder extending from the top header member in spaced relation but concentric with the outlet pipe to a point near the lower header-member, a piston mounted to slide in said cylinder and serve as a lift or check valve for the outlet pipe, an air valve controlling a port between the space in said cylinder above the piston and the atmosphere, and'a second valved outlet pipe with an opening at the bottom header member. Y

21. A flush tank comprising an air tight tank, an inlet pipe for fluid under pressure, a normally open valve in said pipe, an outlet pipe of larger capacity than the inlet pipe and having its end within the tank located above the normal liquid level in the tank determined by the degree to which the fluid pressure can compress the normal air volume of the tank when empty above the liquid therein when full, a normally closed valve for said outlet pipe, and means to open said valve and force the liquid to the opening of the outlet pipe, said means being operable to lower the air pressure above said valve while maintaining the air pressure above the liquid in the tank over an area surrounding said valve.

22. A flush tank having a normally open inlet passage tending to feed water below the liquid level in the tank at all times and a normally closed outlet pipe, a valve for said pipe located above the normal liquid level in the tank and operable tobe opened solely by siphonic action and means to ettect such action when desired.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

RUDOLPH VELGKER. 

